Multiple bead air filter seal

Abstract

The present disclosure provides one filter with multiple standing compression seals that work together to seal against the mating filter housing assembly. The first compression bead design enables the second bead to seal against the Housing surface for maximum sealing performance for preventing unfiltered fluid from passing through a filter housing assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A filter for installation into a housing that has a surface that compresses a portion of the filter, the filter comprising:
 a filter body made of porous material; 
 a gasket located around the perimeter of the filter body; and 
 a seal formed on the gasket and positioned to engage the surface of the housing, the seal including two raised formations of compressible material having different sizes, wherein the two raised formations each form a seal with the surface of the housing when compressed by the surface of the housing; 
 wherein the two raised formations have different heights relative to a common plane defined by the housing; 
 wherein a first taller raised formation has a width-to-height ratio that allows for rolling and/or folding of the first taller raised formation under a compressive force from the housing, the first taller raised formation being structured relative to the surface of the housing for movement towards a second shorter raised formation, and wherein the first taller raised formation moves towards the second shorter raised formation under the compressive force from the surface of the housing. 
 
     
     
       2. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein one raised formation of compressible material has a height in the range of approximately 1.25 mm to 10 mm, and wherein the second raised formation of compressible material has a height in the range of approximately 0.75 mm to 7 mm. 
     
     
       3. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein one raised formation of compressible material is approximately 0.25 mm to 5 mm taller than the second raised formation for sealing. 
     
     
       4. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the first taller raised formation is asymmetrically formed. 
     
     
       5. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the width W(T) to the Height H(T) of the first taller raised formation is from 1:1 to 1:7. 
     
     
       6. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein a second shorter raised formation has a ratio of the width W(S) to height H(S) that is 2:1 up to 1:3 such that the shorter raised formation does not fold over under compressive forces from the housing. 
     
     
       7. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is structured to cause the first taller raised formation to roll toward a second shorter raised formation. 
     
     
       8. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein a first taller raised formation compresses 20-25% and a second shorter raised formation compresses 10-15%. 
     
     
       9. The filter of  claim 8 , wherein the second shorter raised formation is sized and structured to form a stop that limits and amount of compressive forces on the first taller raised formation by the housing. 
     
     
       10. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the rolling and/or folding of the first taller raised formation creates an air gap between the two raised formations. 
     
     
       11. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter body is formed as a flat panel. 
     
     
       12. The filter of  claim 1 , wherein the filter body is formed as a cylindrical filter. 
     
     
       13. A filter housing assembly having a sealing mechanism between a filter body and a surface of a housing, the assembly comprising:
 a housing with inlet and outlet for fluid flow, the housing having a surface; 
 a filter body made of porous material; 
 a gasket located around a perimeter of the filter body, and 
 a seal formed on the gasket and positioned to engage the surface of the housing, the seal including two raised formations of compressible material having different heights relative to a plane, wherein the two raised formations each form a seal with the surface of the housing when compressed by the surface of the housing; 
 wherein a first taller raised formation has a width-to-height ratio that allows for rolling and/or folding of the first taller raised formation under a compressive force from the housing, the first taller raised formation being structured relative to the surface of the housing for movement towards a second shorter raised formation, and wherein the first taller raised formation moves towards the second shorter raised formation under the compressive force from the surface of the housing. 
 
     
     
       14. The filter housing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein one raised formation of compressible material has a height in the range of approximately 1.25 mm to 10 mm, and wherein the second raised formation of compressible material has a height in the range of approximately 0.75 mm to 7 mm. 
     
     
       15. The filter housing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein one raised formation of compressible material is approximately 0.25 mm to 5 mm taller than the second raised formation for sealing. 
     
     
       16. The filter housing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the porous material is folded to create multiple pleats. 
     
     
       17. A filter for installation into a housing that has a surface that compresses a portion of the filter, the filter comprising:
 a filter body made of porous material; 
 a gasket formed around the perimeter of the filter body; and 
 a seal formed on the gasket and positioned to engage the surface of the housing, the seal including two raised formations of compressible material having different sizes, wherein the two raised formations each form a seal with the surface of the housing when compressed by the surface of the housing; 
 wherein the two raised formations have different heights relative to a common plane defined by the housing; 
 wherein a first taller raised formation is located radially inwardly from a second shorter raised formation relative to the perimeter of the filter body. 
 
     
     
       18. The filter of  claim 17 , wherein the second shorter raised formation is sized and structured to form a stop that limits and amount of compressive forces on the first taller raised formation by the housing. 
     
     
       19. The filter of  claim 17 , wherein the first taller raised formation has a width-to-height ratio that allows for rolling and/or folding of the first taller raised formation under a compressive force from the housing, the first taller raised formation being structured relative to the surface of the housing for movement towards a second shorter raised formation, and wherein the first taller raised formation moves towards the second shorter raised formation under the compressive force from the surface of the housing.